Reptile & Amphibian Forums

ive read several times that having a rubbermaid rub the flexwatt,when you open and close it, is not a good idea.
my question is, would putting a thin piece of melamine between the flexwatt and the tub fix the problem? what methods do you guys use to reduce wear on the heat tape? thanks.

-z

What do you mean when you open and close it, explain more about your set-up...

>>ive read several times that having a rubbermaid rub the flexwatt,when you open and close it, is not a good idea.
>>my question is, would putting a thin piece of melamine between the flexwatt and the tub fix the problem? what methods do you guys use to reduce wear on the heat tape? thanks.
>>
>>-z
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- Joel Smith

"If you're not part of the solution, you're still part of the problem"

im sorry, that was very unclear.

im building a rack system with rubbermaid tubs. the tubs do not have a lid, you just slide them out from under the next shelf.

kind of like this:
http://www.boaphileplastics.com/blanketrack.html

but 3 or 4 tubs wide instead of 1.

thanks

-z

If thats what type of rack you are planning on building, why not use back heat?

If you look a couple posts down you can see the rack I just built, it uses sliders, therefore belly heat would be a lot easier to use.

WIth your rack, you can get 11" Flexwatt and run it down the bottom of each row, maybe even 4". Get a couple helix's and you'd be set.

>>im sorry, that was very unclear.
>>
>>im building a rack system with rubbermaid tubs. the tubs do not have a lid, you just slide them out from under the next shelf.
>>
>>kind of like this:
>>http://www.boaphileplastics.com/blanketrack.html
>>
>>but 3 or 4 tubs wide instead of 1.
>>
>>thanks
>>
>>-z
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- Joel Smith

"If you're not part of the solution, you're still part of the problem"

im actually using larger sterlite tubs for larger females. its been recommended to use belly heat for breeding females.

Which is true, and understandable. Maybe you can put some type of tape, (foil tape), over the flexwatt to preserve it?

Then again, remember flex watt is pretty cheap...so even if it does screw up, it's easily replaceable.

>>im actually using larger sterlite tubs for larger females. its been recommended to use belly heat for breeding females.
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- Joel Smith

"If you're not part of the solution, you're still part of the problem"

You are right that if you slide the tubs directly over the flexwatt you will eventually wear it out and cause a short. Rather than put something like melamine over the flexwatt use something that will conduct heat better. I went to a sheet metal shop and had them cut me pieces of sheetmetal the size I wanted so I could screw it over the flexwatt. That way the the tub sides on the sheetmetal and the sheetmetal helps to distribute the heat.
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Wade's Weptiles & Wodents